Polk Street

BELGIAN INFORMATION CENTER • 630 FIFTH AVEM E. NEW YORK, N. Y.

VOL. II, No. 49 NEW YORK, N. Y. DECEMBER 5, 1942

All material published In NEWS FROM may be reprinted without permission. Please send copies of material in which quotations are used to this effloe. These periodical bulletins may be obtained on request from the Editor: BELGIAN INFORMATION CENTER, Room 3064, 630 Fifth Ave., New York CIRCLE 6-2450

In Fields One of the most successful jobs of prop•ening out discrepancies which, due to the aganda which the Germans have accom• reawakening of the consciousness, plished is the spreading of the belief, in were normally doomed to disappear. They certain circles of the free world, that the wanted to divide the country, to bring about Flemish people as a whole are in the palm opposition between French and Flemish- of the Nazi hand and that 4,500,000 Flem• speaking people, to provoke an internal dis• ings, representing about 60 per cent of thelocation of Belgium which would prepare population of Belgium, have welcomed the the way for and facilitate its final annexa• wonderful blessings of the New Order. tion. A small minority, banking on a Ger• As usual the Germans have followed in man victory, followed this policy. this matter the golden rule which Mr. Hitler In Belgian politics, the twenty years be• laid down in the few readable pages of histween 1918 and 1938 were devoted, to a paranoic masterpiece, Mein Kampf, accord•large extent, to a series of legislative mea• ing to which, when you tell a lie, it should sures which finally assured the Flemish an be a whopper, a beauty, so big that no oneequal status in the State. After 1939, the will believe you could have had the nerveproblem had ceased to be a political issue; to invent such a falsehood. it had become mainly a question of social The Germans have been working for evolution which would necessarily take some many, many years on the Flemish problem. time. During the first world war, they succeeded Peaceful compromise between the two in exploiting a latent discontent among racial groups was so well under way that Flemish intellectuals who were dissatisfiedthe small Nationalistic Party in Parliament with the slow progress of legislation to practically had no other program but to grant the Flemish language and the Flemish exploit noisily and with shameless violence people equal rights with French and the minor incidents of Belgian political life. French-speaking population of Belgium. Members of this group which had preached Little did the Germans care about straight•a rapprochement with Holland as a solution NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942 to the Flemish problem because of the simi• Does anyone really hold the larity of language, declared in 1940 that ifresponsible for Laval? How then could the Holland was invaded by Germany it would Flemish people be held responsible for the not be a reason for Belgium to go to war. one per cent of Nationalists who try to col• The logical outcome of their policy was thatlaborate with Hitler? At this moment only after May 10, 1940, they put themselves the voice of those who seem to compromise completely at the disposal of the Nazis. Thethe Flemish people is heard, but what do we Walloon Rexists took the same attitude, andhear when we listen closely to the rumble both groups tried to seize power in the occu•of 4,500,000 silent Flemings suffering under pied territory. the German yoke for the second time in 25 But, although the Germans may be brutesyears. They speak through deeds, not words. and torturers, they are not lunatics. They What do the Quislings say? Do they claim have one thing at least in common with theto represent the Flemish people—the people British—they believe that a fact is more that gave Eyck, van der Goes, Rubens, respectable than a Lord Mayor. They soon Van Dyck, Jordaens to the world, that gave found out that both groups represented Ludtvig van Beethoven of Mechelen to Ger• neither the nor the Flemings, butmany, that sent to the Philip• were only the expression of a small minoritypines and Father de Smet of Dendermonde of ambitious, misled or fanatic people, spec•to pacify the American Indians—that Flem• ulating on a German victory. For two years ish people, fighting against counts, dukes now, both groups have tried to gain influ• and sovereigns, city fighting against city, ence. In the beginning even Adolf Schickel-hamlet against township, for liberty and in• gruber appeared to help them. He always dependence, for democracy in its most local referred to the two racial groups separately,form? The Quislings would not dare to as if they did not constitute a nation, but make such a claim! They confess at length later on he abandoned that distinction and their disillusionment, their rancor at being spoke of both groups as . a despised and scoffed-at minority. They The Nazis watched for some time the per•complain every day that they are misunder• formance of abasement and platitudes thestood and attacked, even by their former Quislings gave and concluded that no goodfriends. The Flemish people have created would come of this policy. Many times havea vacuum around these spiritual lepers. the two diminutive Fascist parties courted Literary life was always very active in for power. Never did the Germans give themFlanders. Not more than three prominent anything more than a shadow of authority.writers, who were already contaminated It was alright, said the Germans, when thewith Nazi ideas before the invasion, who Fascists tried to recruit some volunteers forhad been lionized and published in Ger• the Russian front or when they wanted to many, joined the New Order. The others help the German gendarmerie in the food have remained silent and express their dis• control, but when the Quislings asked if thegust with a splendid dignity. The Nazi German authorities would be kind enough Mayor of visits the Flemish Club to tell them something about the future ofand complains that its former members are Belgium and their share in it, the Germans absent. A third-rate critic perorates to the were too busy to answer. Such is the firstFlemish poets who have refused to celebrate punishment of Quislings—that even thosethe New Order: "They don't understand they want to serve despise them. what is expected from them." A Nazi poet The Norwegian people are not held re• tries five publishers, and none of them is sponsible for Quisling and his followers. interested in his manuscript.

[386] NEWS FBOM BELGIUM DECEMBER 5, 1942

But what happens on the positive side? In the course of history, the Flemish peo• About 50 Flemish underground newspapersple have borne many an injustice. They spring up from Flanders. Week by week have always done so with dignity, and their they expose the Quislings among their protests have been moderate and sensible. people. The bodies of Nationalist chieftainsIf a few traitors succeed for a moment in are found in the canals. Nationalist Party creating a smokescreen of Naziism over the headquarters are bombed even in the smallfair fields of Flanders, it is due mainly to provincial towns. The first we hear about the fact that a great many lies and false• that mighty group of saboteurs, the Whitehoods have been told outside Belgium con• Brigade, is when the Nazi courts have put cerning the real issue of the language prob• on trial 12 Flemish boys in the Flemish lem in Belgium. stronghold of . These are the simple, But should anyone dare to brand the honest folk of Flanders, a workman, a phar•Flemish people as a Nazi-inclined group, macist, a student, a radio dealer, a mechanic,the dead of the White Brigade will stare at a dental technician, a cafe owner. They werehim from their heroic graves. And who called Van Cauwenberghe, Desmet, Van could sustain the accusing eyes of these ob• Laere, Pissens, Impens, Eyckens, De Greef,scure men who have offered their young Vanderhaeghen and Van Acker. Their names lives that liberty and democracy may bloom are as good Dutch names as Roosevelt oronce again "in Flanders Fields?" Van Buren. —THE EDITOR.

Premier Pierlot Broadcasts Appeal to Belgian Railway Workers

Speaking to his compatriots in occupied Bel• expected. In April 1942, the Germans managed gium, Huhert Pierlot, Belgian Prime Minister, to recruit for the Reich 180 workers of the Bel• made the following speech, November 8, over gian Railways Company, out of a total of Radio Belgique in : 120,000. "JSTumerous Belgians are working in Ger• "But the urgent need of labor, due both to the many, affording help to the enemy against their allied bombardments and the considerable losses will. They have been forced to leave Belgium on the Eastern Front, compels the Germans to under the threat of constant unemployment and renew their recruiting efforts, offering, through of terrible shortage of food. They were sent their enslaved press, advantages of all sorts to there by a band of traitors placed by the Ger• anyone accepting their propositions. mans at the head of the Labor Exchanges. Many "Noticing that even for those, whom duty of these unfortunate men have died, victims of would not restrain, the promise of high wages, aerial bombardments, and this peril is ever premiums, lodging and food was not enticing growing. >ecause of the fear of losing the advantages of "There is a group of Belgian workers among their contract with the Belgian Railways, by whom, until very recently, the Germans found being dismissed or deprived of their seniority no appreciable collaboration. This group is the rights, the Germans have extracted from the railway workers. It's not that the Germans directors of the Belgian Railways concessions didn't try. As early as May 1940, the Germans which the kept press presents as guarantees. attempted to recruit mechanics, drivers, skilled "To these promises, the papers add another: repair shop workers and railway personnel. No• the Reichbahn will pay the Belgian Railways where did this campaign obtain the results they Company an adequate indemnity.

[387} NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942

"Moreover, German officers control the acti• ing part, voluntarily, and with no extenuating vity of the Belgian Railways, under cover of circumstances in the German war effort. which the Direction of the Wehrmacht Traffic "In the name of the Belgian Government and seeks to pursue its policy. On several occasions with all the authority of the only legal Govern• the Counsel of Direction of the Company has ment, I say to the workers of the Belgian Rail• had to comply with the exigencies of the enemy ways : 'The promises extorted from the company who has ordered, among other things, that the by the Germans are invalid. They will be re• personnel be notified that workers will have un• voked on the very day of the liberation of our paid holidays and upon their return, the main• territory. Those who have willingly worked for tenance of their rights will be assured. Germany will lose their job and their rights, "All this agitation on the part of the occupant, without prejudice to the penal sanctions. in order to tempt the railway workers, calls for "As to those officials who have favored enemy an intervention on the part of the Government. concerns, they will have terrible accounts to "The workers of the Belgian Railways enjoy render and they know what awaits them. working conditions similar to those of civil serv• "The Government congratulates the workers ants. They enjoy a quasi-stability of employ• of the Belgian Railways who resist the pressure ment, they have the benefit of highly-developed to which they are submitted and who use their social institutions and of advancement accord• influence upon their comrades in order to show ing to seniority and pensions upon retirement— them the truth. all advantages which lead them to seek employ• "The Railway personnel has always been con• ment with the Belgian Railways. Since May 10, sidered as the elite among workers in Belgium. 1940, the Belgian Railways have dismissed no Through its professional skill, its discipline, its one. Its employees constitute a category of Bel• devotion to the public cause, it has been one of gians less unfortunate than others. They have the builders of our country's prosperity. During not the excuse of unemployment, to join the the 1914-1918 war, its conduct was admirable Reichbahn, even temporarily and for a short and stands as an example of civic virtues. while, facilitating thereby the departure of Ger• "My Dear Friends, remain worthy of your man railway workers to the Russian front. If wonderful traditions. The country looks to you. they agree to work for Germany, they are tak- Have courage. Victory will crown your efforts."

ported by the unanimous opinion of the country 1. Belgium did everything possible to relieve their sufferings. "When victory finally brings Nazi cruelties A. The War to an end, all citizens, without didtinction of race or belief, will find in our country, that regime Belgian Premier Sends Message to Jewso f freedom which is traditional in Belgium. —Mr. Hubert Pierlot, Belgian Prime Minister, "Germany's conduct towards the Jews is one has sent the following message to the Board of of the most atrocious dramas of history. To the Deputies of British Jews, the organizers of a honor of humanity, victory will put an end to it." meeting of protest in London against the atro• V ... — cities committed by the German Nazis. Mary Booth in German Prison — Reports "Up to the moment of the invasion, Jews in received from Germany announce that Colonel Belgium received a most hospitable welcome. Mary Booth, daughter of the founder of the Protected by our Constitution which guarantees Salvation Army, is detained with other British the freedom of opinion and creed, and by our women in a camp for civilian prisoners at Lie- laws which proclaim the equality of all Belgians, benau, a village about 19 miles from Friedrich- the Jews enjoyed the same status as other Bel• shafen and near Lake Constance. gians. Colonel Mary Booth was on a tour of in• "^Vhen a few years before the war, the Jews spection of the sections of the Salvation Army began to suffer from the first Nazi persecutions, in Belgium when she was overtaken in Brussels Belgium was, once again, a land of refuge for by the German invasion and fell into the enemy's the outcasts. The Belgian Government, sup- hands.

[388] BELGIUM AT WAR

^n!%Ma^''''^ ''-"^ '"^^ « drive .est^ard NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942

A pilot and his Beaufighter. He has protected convoys, attacked enemy ships and bombed German positions in Sardinia, Sicily, Egypt and Lybia. NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBER 5, 1942

On a western flight. "Our squadron is used for attack," says this pilot. "Weve covered a lot of airdromes. After we drop our bombs, we dive and get the planes, oil tanks and trucks we missed upstairs."

Off to the barracks for some sleep. "Our last attack was on a transport column," says this officer. "We skimmed over it. One truck after another jerked upward. We flew over fast but we just had time to see the whole line telescope, turn over in a ditch, catch on fire and the Germans (believe me, they can run as fast as the Italians) take to the desert, rolling up in a ball when we hit them." NEWS FKOM BELGIUM •DECEMBER 5, 1942

^i.^f/^j°"*j ^T," l^" Belgian pilots in North Africa are v, skilled and reckless of their own lives. .. •eterans of the Battle of Great Britain, highly

^eZ^cZV}orfh7lZtl making it a good one. ' ^ t ^lllrt'''' " ""'^^^r -« would-^V™'"^" appear^ that they're"'"^ NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942

RAF Bombs Brugge Docks — An under• For Belgian freight cars, with the exception ground newspaper in Belgium has published de• of the 17V2-ton closed cars, the authorized weight tails of an RAF attack made some time ago on will be up to 1,000 kilograms (about a ton) the docks at Brugge. over the peacetime load. About 50 bombers and fighter aircraft flew in V ... — at a very low level, defying the antiaircraft and Jewish Workers Sent to Germany—Ac• machine guns of the German defenses. cording to the United Press, November 26, Several ships of 4,000 tons displacement, large-scale roundups of Belgian Jews for forced undergoing repairs in the port, were hit and labor in Germany are reported from occupied destroyed by bombs. Belgium. ^ When they climbed again, the RAF airmen were attacked by fighters of the Luftwaffe, two 1,400 Belgian Workers Deported to Ger• of which were shot down. A British plane was many—The Associated Press reported on Nov• hit, but the pilot baled out and landed safely. ember 30 that 1,400 Belgian workmen had been V deported to Germany from St. Niklaas, in Second Front Threat Drives German De• Eastern Flanders. fenses Inland—Fear of a second front is driv• V . •. -— ing the Germans to extend their defenses deeper Cultural Life into occupied Belgium. Fortification work is Intellectuals Shun Nazi Flemish Club— being carried out in the of Liege and in The Vlaamsche Club in Brussels, which num• the Ardennes. bered among its members Flemish intellectuals In the course of this work, an explosion oc• of all shades of opinion, has changed its char• curred at Neufchateau and a building collapsed, acter since the German occupation. Its Presi• causing the death of two Germans. dent, Julien Kuypers, has been superseded by a second rate poet named Willem Gijssels. The new committee busies itself chiefly with organ• B. The Occupation izing receptions for National-Socialists and Political Life their puppets. After the formation of a Greater Brussels, Royal Aide de Camp Dies — General Six, Dr. J. Grauls, the German-appointed mayor, King Leopold's Aide de Camp, died November was received at the Vlaamsche Club. The new 2, 1942. ^ president welcomed him with the remark that indulgence in criticism was now regarded as out Economic and Social Life of place at the Vlaamsche Club. Lumber Shortage Cuts Coal Production— Grauls, in his speech, deplored the absence When asked by the Germans for an explanation of many intellectuals who formerly frequented of the decrease in coal production, a foreman in the club. the Borinage mining area stated that there was V • • • — a shortage of pit props. The Germans refused Quislings Hit Louvain University—^nzi- to accept this statement and threatened to de• controlled Radio Brussels, November 25, quoted port him. He was, however, ordered to collect from an article by Jan Brans in Volk en Staat woodcutters among the Czech and Polish work• on Louvain University as follows: men and to have trees felled in the neighboring "Many of us have noted with regret that woods, ignoring the rights of the local land• this university seems to be contemplating the owners. introduction of certain far-reaching measures. V •• • — This so-called 'Catholic University' has always Freight Car Shortage—As a result of the been a reactionary stronghold in the service of acute transport difiiculties in occupied Belgium, the liberal-minded among Catholics. This uni• a new regulation has been introduced on the versity has continually curbed the spiritual de• railways. velopment of our people who, as a result, have German freight cars will, in the future, be developed into petty and spineless followers. overloaded to the extent of 2,000 kilograms That students of Brussels University now at• (nearly two tons) above their normal maximum. tend Louvain University only adds to the evil.

[389] NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942

In their hatred for everything Flemish, Free• Another bomb was discovered on the Brussels- masonry is encouraged and religion relegated Ghent railway line. to the background." V • • • — V SPCA Badge Banned—As a protest against Resistance to Nazi Occupation German exactions, Belgian patriots have been wearing in their buttonholes the badge of the 8 Belgian Hostages Shot by Nazis—Eight Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. of the ten Belgian hostages taken for the assassi• The society has now been advised by the Ger• nation of the Belgian Nazi Mayor of Charleroi, mans that its badge is banned. have been executed, according to an official com• munique from the Belgian (Nazi-controlled) V ... — Press to the Neue Zuericher Zeitung, Nov. 29. 18 Belgians Sentenced to Die — According

V ... — to an Associated Press dispatch, November 27, the Germans have sentenced 18 Belgians to Sabotage in Belgian Luxemburg — At St. death within the last 24 hours on charges of Mard-lez-Virton (Belgian Luxemburg) an at• sabotage, espionage and possession of arms. tempt was made to destroy an electric substation. Three of the victims were said to have been A saboteur pushed a charge of dynamite into executed immediately after their sentence. the transformer, but in completing the operation V ... — he slipped and was electrocuted. Just before this incident a bomb had been Ex-Belgian Minister and Mayor Seized— thrown into a house where a German agent lived. According to the United Press, November 26, Acliille Delattre, former Belgian Labor Minister, V ... — and Mayor Schmidt, of Etterbeek, have been German Bribes Refused by Belgians—The arrested by German occupational authorities in Germans use the lowest possible methods to buy Belgium on unrevealed charges. people's consciences. It is known how they hoped Two Belgian youths, 19 and 24 years old, are to put pressure on the French people by ex• also said to have been seized for the murder of changing, one for three, prisoners of war, ex• a Nazi factory guard. hausted by their long internment, for strong and skilled workers. In Belgium they used the same method to persuade wives or parents, desperate after the long detention of their husbands or 2. Belgium Abroad sons in Germany, to betray to Gestapo agents English aviators, who had landed by parachute In the on Belgian soil, or patriots guilty of acts of Ship Captain Tells of Torpedoeing—The sabotage. They forget that if money in the hand Bruxelles, a Belgian cargo ship of 8,000 tons, can be covered up, blood on the hand cannot, was recently torpedoed in the Caribbean sea. and their contemptible efforts, far from tempt• The ship was commanded by Captain Van den ing the Belgian population, only fans the fire of Bossche, who, at the age of 29, is probably the revolt against so despicable an enemy. youngest captain of the United Nations' mer• V chant fleet. Several days after having been saved, he was Strikes in Textile Industry — Strikes have on his way to and to take com• broken out in the Verviers textile industry in• mand of a new ship. During a short stay in volving, among others, the Peltzer, Simonis, New York, Captain Van den Bossche told a Petit and Duesberg factories. representative of the magazine Belgium, in a V •. • — very unassuming way, how his ship was sunk. Bombs Discovered On Railway Lines- "We were attacked," he said, "at about 5 :30 Forty inhabitants of have been ap• in the afternoon. We did not see the submarine, pointed by the Germans to guard public build• but we saw the torpedoes coming in our direc• ings, bridges and railways, after tie discovery tion; two of them missed, as we started man• of a bomb near Desselghem station, on the rail• euvering our ship as soon as the alert was given. way line between Kortrijk and Ghent. Ten But the third torpedo got us, and my ship sank hostages have been arrested by the Germans. in less than three minutes."

[390] NEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942

Captain Van den Bossche is very proud of his crew. "There was not the slightest panic," he 3. Belgian Congo said, "my men knew what they had to do. The lifeboats were lowered in two minutes, and Three More Aviators Get Wings—Three everybody was embarked in good order. Only Belgians, training in the Belgian Colonial Air one man was lost out of a total of 48. Force in , have just got their wings. "When we reached Curagoa, ten of the crew This brings the total of newly qualified airmen immediately joined another ship, while the rest of the Belgian Colonial Air Force to 18 pilots, went to Canada to ship out from there. 5 observers and 2 photographers. The captain had nothing but contempt for the V ... — dangers of enemy action. Belgian Troops Land in Africa — A new "I have been attacked fourteen times," he contingent of the Belgian Colonial Expedition• said, "by German planes and submarines, and ary Forces has landed at a West African port, as you see, they never got me until now. But where it was inspected by the British command• there are other dangers," he added. "When we ing general. were torpedoed, another boat—a tanker—was V • •. — set on fire and burned fiercely before she also went to the bottom. The oil was spread over the U. S. Soldiers Celebrate Thanksgiving in sea and it became a real sea of flames. We rowed Congo—American soldiers staged a football hard for three hours, continuously running the match at Leopoldville, Belgian Congo, on risk of being overtaken by the flames. Finally Thanksgiving Day, before thousands of curious we were picked up by a British destroyer, in and enthusiastic spectators. The Governor Gen• which we received a splendid reception, and eral and other high ofiicials also attended. when we arrived at Curagoa, we were feted like After the game, hundreds of native school kings for several days. children sang an American song for the soldiers "Later, thanks to the American State Depart• and were wildly cheered. ment, and the Belgian diplomatic authorities, we were flown to Florida and here we are, ready once more to defy the Nazi pirates." LETTERS FOR BELGIANS V ... — The American Red Cross, 315 Lexington Avenue, Netv York City, has received letters from Belgian Scholar Publishes Greek Book- for the folloiving persons. If you have any informa• Belgian intellectual activity in the free world tion as to their whereabouts, please communicate once more has asserted itself through the pub• with this organization. Hours 10 a. m.—3 p. m. lication by Professor Henri Gregoire of Digenis BRINKER, Max-Address: 16 Bryant Ave., Bronx. Ahritas, The Byzantine Epic in History and Message comes from Abram Brynkier. Poetry (1942: The National Herald, New York, DE REYDT, Frank-Address: 152 Third Avenue. 374 pp., 19 ill.). As homage to the heroic de• Message comes from Mme. De Reydt. fenders of the Epirus mountains and of Crete, FISHER, Dwight Wilton-Address: c/o Red Cross. this book was written in the Greek language. Message comes from Paul Segebarth. V ... — GOLEMAN, Renilde Mrs.-Address: 556 West 166th Street. Message comes from Prosper Van Massen- Belgian Concert at W omens International hove. JANSSENS, Robert-Address: 17 Battery Place. Exhibit—On November 24, at 3 :30 in the after• Message comes from Madeleine Mevrouw Janssens. noon, a concert organized by Mrs. S. Henricot KUKLER, Pauline Miss—Address: c/o Rappaport, was held in the theater at Madison Square Gar• 1114 West 84th St. Message comes from Paul den where the Women's International Exhibi• Kramer. tion of Arts and Industry was being held. Miss LAND, John-Address: 334 West 74th Street. Mes• Herma Carola sang a group of songs and "Trio" sage comes from Marie Ladenburger. by Eavel was played by Mr. Kirsch, Mr. Guillet PETIT, Rene-Address: 231 West 21st St. Message and Mrs. Boynet. comes from Fernande Laurent. Mr. Georges Theunis, Belgian Ambassador WENGER, John-Address c/o Holland America Line, "Westerland," 29 Broadway. Message comes Extraordinary, and other prominent Belgians from Bertha Wengcr. attended.

[391] ISTEWS FEOM BELGIUM DECEMBEE 5, 1942

German Exploitation of Occupied Europe

PAriY OCCUPATION CHARGES (approxlmafe)

BELGIUM $1,200,000 NORWAY $1,500,000 $12,000,000 HOLLAND $1,800,000

J& Black monev-bags show excess charges over and above acfuai w cost of occupation

Belgium

4COST OF OCCUPATIONS^ PROFIT TO GERMANY > Norway

4 COST OF OCCUPATION PROFII TO GERMANY • France

^ COST OF OCCUPATION PROFIT TO GERMANY » Holland

< COST OF OCCUPATION PROFIT TO GERMANY •

Courtesy British Information Services [392]